
New 5% Deposit Scheme Rolled Out Early – A Game-Changer for First Home Buyers
The Albanese Government has brought forward the launch of its expanded 5 % deposit scheme to 1 October 2025, accelerating access by three months. Originally slated for implementation in early 2026, this forward-shift is aimed at helping more first home buyers enter the property market sooner.
Key highlights of the updated scheme include:
Universal eligibility — the scheme is now open to all first home buyers, with no income or placement caps
Higher property price caps aligned with market levels, for example:
Sydney: rising from $900,000 to $1.5 million
Rest of NSW: from $750,000 to $800,000
No Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) — the government guarantees the loan portion beyond the 5 % deposit, saving homebuyers tens of thousands in insurance costs.
Projected financial benefits — the first year alone could see buyers save around $1.5 billion in LMI costs.